Psalm - Psalm 14

Psalm 14:1The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

Corrupt: ruin, morally

Abominable: to loathe, ethically, detest

Works: in the sense of effecting; an exploit,  an opportunity -- act(-ion)

None: to be nothing or not exist

Does: accomplish

Good: moral good, good deed (graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness)

A wicked and foolish man truly believes there is no God. They are vile, their sinfulness nauseating to their Creator; their actions are soiled and repulsive; every deed is depraved; not one of them does good. Psalm 14:1 (VOICE)

I've been reading and re-reading this Psalm, especially verse one, for several days. As I read it, I couldn't help but think of the state of our Nation today. The riots, the lawlessness, the lack of a common moral compass - it's unfathomable to believe the simple lack of respect for one another in just the last few months. 

But I also couldn't help but think of how some Christians are acting as well. Some of their attitudes and actions are such that it leads one to think that they too say there is "no God". 

God is the standard by which we must base right and wrong. Just look at the 10 commandments. Simple straightforward rules/laws which prevent chaos and abominable works. 

There is no God. The truth is there is. And one day we each will stand before Him - either as Savior or Judge. 

Proverbs 8:6-9: Lying. Is it a big deal?

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:6-9

Excellent things: princely things—as from a commander or honorable position; excellent things

Right things: in ethical sense, uprightness, as taught in the school of wisdom

Truth: trustworthiness, faithful,

Wickedness: wrong (especially moral)

Abomination: something disgusting (morally)

Righteousness: the right (natural, moral or legal), accurate

Nothing: does not exist

Crooked: fraudulent, anything tortuous (not direct or straightforward), deceitfully indirect

Perverse: distorted, false

Plain: straightforward, correct, integrity, right, uprightness

Understands: diligently, discerns

Right: straightforward, just upright

Find: thing sought, acquire

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Lying. 

Is it really something to ignore? Or is it a big deal? 

Is there such a thing as a "white lie"?

It is ok to lie so you don't hurt a person's feelings?

Is it EVER ok to lie?

Are there circumstances that warrant lying? 

What is a lie? 

Dictionary.com:

a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; anintentional untruth; a falsehood.to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive; convey a false impression

What does lying do? 

First off, it lays a foundation for mistrust. How can one be trusted if they lie? 

Second, it makes one question everything said thereafter. If you lied once, are you lying now? 

And lastly,  it starts a snowball effect. For when you lie once, you must maintain the lie, and that leads to additional lies. 

Justification for lying? 

Is there such a thing? Well, it's so we don't hurt someone's feelings. REALLY? Tell a lie, so that person can't trust us later? That justifies lying? 

If I tell the truth, the person won't like me? Again, REALLY? A person would like you if you lied, but not if you told the truth. And if that person won't like you if you told the truth, what does it say about that person? Is that really someone you want to like you? Someone whose relationship is based on mistrust and lying? Yeah, that's a great foundation for friendship—NOT! 

Lying. It is a big deal. It is not something to ignore. 

Wisdom does not lie. Wisdom is to be trusted. Wisdom doesn't try to flatter or smooth talk her way around issues. Wisdom is straightforward and honest! 

Perhaps if we all had hearts that were permeated with a deep sense of reverence (fear) for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), there would be a lot less lying and more honesty.

Lying is a big deal, because it is sin. That's it, period. No white lies, not justification, call it what it is—SIN. And that is a big deal to God. And if you want to live in accordance with His wisdom, lying will be a big deal to you too.

Proverbs 6:16-19: Dissimilitude

These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

Hate: enemy, foe, be hateful odious, utterly

Abomination: something disgusting (morally), an abhorrence

Proud look: arrogance

Lying tougue: falsehood, babbler, evil speaker

Innocent: free from guilt, clean

Blood: shed with injustice & cruelty

Heart: thinking, reflection

Devises: as one who works in, practices

Wicked: thoughts of trouble

Plans: device, purpose

Swift running: run even faster

Evil: injury, wrong, harm

False witness: injurious falsehood, in testimony in court

Speaks: breathe out, utter

Lies: deceptive thing

Discord: strife

Among: verbs of dividing

Brethren: kindred

Pride vs Humility

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. Proverbs 15:33

Lie vs Truth

‘You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. Leviticus 19:11

Murder vs Life

Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. Exodus 23:7

Scheming vs God's plan

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Psalm 37:7

Quick to Evil vs Quick to Truth

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19

Strife vs Peace

The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity. Malachi 2:6

Dissimilitude. Unlikeness. Difference.  Dissimilarity.

There is no question as to what God hates. For as a Holy God all sin is abhorrence to Him. The list of these items covers the entire person. Mind. Mouth. Heart. Hands. Feet. 

Dissimilitude. When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then I'll hate the same things God hates. I will want remove myself far from those that are living a lifestyle that is dishonoring and hateful to God. 

Dissimilitude. It requires commitment to God and His holy standard. It requires wisdom and the desire to put that wisdom into practice. Remember there are no "white lies". There is to be no compromise. It's a total and complete act of distancing oneself from sin. Dissimilitude. 

Can others see the godly difference in me? 

Proverbs 3:31-35: There is a choice to be made.

Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools. Proverbs 3:31-35

Envy: a feeling of discontent or covetousness withregard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.

Oppressor: one who is or promotes violence and wrong

Choose: man's choice

None: all, the whole

Ways: of moral action and character

Perverse: to turn aside, depart, devious, crooked

Abomination: something disgusting; ethical sense to God and His people

Counsel: circle of familiar friends

Upright: straightforward, just, well-pleased, righteous

Wicked: one guilty of crime, deserving punishment

Just: just, righteous, in conduct and character

Scorns: open or unqualified contempt; disdain

Grace: favor, acceptance

Humble: lowly

Wise: ethically and religiously

Inherit: have or get as a possession

Glory: honor, dignity of position

Shame: personal dishonor, disgrace

Legacy: lift up, exalt, promotion

Fools: stupid fellow

There is a choice to be made.

Choose one who is and/or promoted violence. Choose be in the company of the devious and those who are disgusting (to God). Choose to dwell with those who are guilty crime and deserve punishment. Choose those who are contempt. Choose to leave a legacy be known for being a fool. 

There is a choice to be made.

Choose to be among the circle of the just and well-pleased before God. Choose to live in a home filled with righteous conduct and character. Choose to live in humility before God. Choose to be wise ethically and religiously and enjoy the possession of honor. 

There is a choice to be made. And to make the right choice, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

What choice will you make today? 

Change my Location

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 91. Here is what I learned.

God will ·save [protect] you from ·hidden traps [the snare of the fowler] and from deadly ·diseases [pestilence]. Psalm 91:3 (EXB)

For He will rescue you from the snares set by your enemies who entrap you and from deadly plagues. Psalm 91:3 (VOICE)

He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so. The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is a noisome pestilence. Great security is promised to believers in the midst of danger. Wisdom shall keep them from being afraid without cause, and faith shall keep them from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to fear. God's people shall see, not only God's promises fulfilled, but his threatenings. Then let sinners come unto the Lord upon his mercy-seat, through the Redeemer's name; and encourage others to trust in him also. (Psalm 91:1-8) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Temptation in and of itself is not sin. It’s when we give into the temptation that we sin. Sin is sin and is an abomination to God. There are not “little sins”.  

There are many justifications and rationalizations we create to ease our minds when we sin. And often we put ourselves in situations that not only create temptation, but make it so easy to give in to the temptation. Think of it this way, an alcoholic should not be spending time in bars. To avoid the temptation to drink, the alcoholic needs to change his location. Remove himself from the opportunity to drink. One way to avoid giving in to the temptation is to avoid the location of the temptation! 

If we do find ourselves tempted, we still don’t need to give in—God provides a way to escape and not sin! 

The only ·temptation [or trials] that has come to you is ·that which everyone has [(common to) human life]. But ·you can trust God [God is faithful], who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to ·stand [endure] it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (EXB)

To create a positive day, I need to change my location, if I find myself the place of temptation, knowing that God has provided the way of escape!